Atheros Ships Industry's First Two-Chip Solution for 802.11a Wireless LAN Access Points; New Technology Enables Enterprise-Quality Functionality at Low Cost.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 11, 2002

Atheros Communications today delivered a chipset that integrates all the advanced wireless local-area network (WLAN) functionality needed to implement high-performance IEEE 802.11a access points. The Integrated Access Point Chipset combines a high-performance microprocessor with multiple wired and wireless interfaces on two all-CMOS chips to dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of WLANs.

An access point based on the new Atheros chipset serves as the "base station" between wired LANs and wireless computing devices. The chipset is also suitable for wireless repeaters, outdoor wireless devices, residential gateways, and audio/video solutions. Based on Atheros second-generation IEEE 802.11a technology, this new solution enhances the performance of 802.11a wireless LANs and introduces the highest level of security ever offered for any type of LAN.

"Our new access point solution is designed help proliferate wireless networking in a variety of environments," said Rich Redelfs, president and chief executive officer of Atheros. "An impressive array of state-of-the-art features combined with unprecedented levels of integration makes this a compelling, cost-effective wireless solution for homes, businesses and public 'hot spots.'"

The Two-chip Access Point

Like Atheros' first-generation 802.11a products, the Integrated Access Point Chipset is manufactured using standard CMOS technology to achieve a cost-effective, highly integrated system-level product. The chipset will dramatically reduce the cost of 802.11a access points while delivering far better performance, security, and system capacity than competing designs.

The chipset includes a 5 GHz radio-on-a-chip (RoC) and a high-performance 32-bit MIPS R4000-class processor with integrated 802.11a Media Access Controller (MAC), Baseband Processor, and other access point features. The solution also incorporates two 10/100 Ethernet MACs, a Bluetooth-ready 1-Mbps Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART), a 115 kbps UART, and a Local Bus interface.

Enterprise-Class Security and Second-Generation Features

The new chipset features the industry's most comprehensive security solution, covering four key areas--AES encryption, 802.1x authentication, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and Virtual LANs (VLANs).

AES is the state-of-the-art technology selected by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology to replace 3DES (Triple Data Encryption Standard) currently used for banking and other high-security applications. The chipset also supports Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) and WEP functionality for legacy systems that do not support AES.

For authentication, Atheros uses 802.1x to enable centralized network authorization, dynamic key management, and centralized user administration. Support for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) enhances end-to-end security through the use of tunneling protocols and certificate authorities. The Virtual LAN (VLAN) feature allows for the separation of guest user or "hot spot" traffic from private traffic over the same physical wireless network.

Other second-generation features include an improved Atheros Turbo Mode(TM), which increases wireless data rates to 108 Mbps, and both Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and Transmit Power Control (TPC) to support European operation. Quality of Service enhancements assure real-time delivery of audio, video, and voice data. Repeater capability permits quick plug-and-play extension of wireless coverage areas.

Enterprise reference platforms based on the chipset also feature support for major network and security management servers and applications. SOHO/Home reference platforms include Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Network Address Translation (NAT), Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE), and Zero Config(TM) support.

Product Availability

The Atheros Integrated 802.11a Access Point Chipset (AR5001AP) is sampling now and will be shipping in volume in the second quarter of this year. End-user products will be launched by a variety of computing, consumer electronics, and broadband access manufacturers in the second half of the year.

The access point solution is one of three new WLAN chipsets that Atheros is delivering today. For more information about today's overall Atheros technology announcement, the 802.11a/g/b combo solution and the second-generation 802.11a solution, please see the separate news releases on these topics.

About Atheros Communications, Inc.

Atheros Communications is the leading developer of networking technologies for secure, high-performance wireless local area networks. As the industry innovator and market-share leader in wireless OFDM technology compliant with the IEEE 802.11 specifications, Atheros is driving transparent connections among electronic devices in the office, home and on the road. Atheros technology is being used by many of the world's leading wireless equipment manufacturers including Accton, Actiontec, ALPS Electric, Intel, Intermec, Netgear, Proxim, SMC Networks, Sony, TDK, UltraDevices and others. For more information, visit www.atheros.com or send email to [e-mail].

Atheros, the Atheros logo and Atheros Turbo Mode are trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.